The British Airways Executive Club (BAEC) has two types of points, Avios, and Tier Points. Confused? Here’s an explanation with a little help from our friends at BA:

AVIOS - For spending on rewards

Avios are collected on flights with British Airways and oneworld airlines as well as a on wide range of other purchases.

These are the points that are earned on some credit cards, through Tesco Clubcard and TopCashBack.

Avios can be spent on flights and upgrades.

Avios can be bought and shared.

Avios expire only if your balance is inactive for three years.

TIER POINTS - For moving through the tiers of the club

You earn Tier Points by flying with British Airways and their oneworld airline partners (including American Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Iberia and Qatar).

The number you earn depends on your ticket type and fare class — in general, you’ll earn more on longer flights in premium cabins and on flexible fares

Unlike Avios, Tier Points cannot be bought, shared or spent — their sole purpose is to move you through the tiers of the Club

Tier Points are reset to zero at the end of your membership year which is the anniversary of the date you joined the Club

All the Tier Points you've earned as a member of the Club count towards your Lifetime Tier Points total, for more recognition and rewards.

The Tiers:

BRONZE - 300 Tier Points

SILVER - 600 Tier Points (SILVER is where you want to get to for what I think are the most valuable benefits - free seat selection at the time of booking AND Business Class lounge access regardless of class you’re travelling in)

This is where it all begins. You will take advantage of the hefty sign up bonuses, and then put all day to day spend on the card to rack up miles. For the beginner, with a 20,000 point sign up bonus, and no fee for the first year, the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is the way to go. If we refer you, you will earn an addional 2000 points!

GET A TESCO CLUBCARD

Tesco clubcard points can be converted into British Airways Avios and Virgin Flying Club Miles. Use your clubcard every time you shop and take advantage of special bonus offers that I will alert you to. £10 in clubcard vouchers gets you 2400 Avios or 2500 Virgin Miles.

GET CASHBACK

This is money for free! Sign up to TopCashBack and click through to online shops for everything you buy on the internet. Almost every online retailer pays a percentage back - it’s money for free. You can transfer you up to £50 of your cash back to Tesco and convert into 12000 Avios or 12500 Virgin Miles! Sign up through this link.

GET AIRMILES WHEN YOU FLY

Airlines credit miles to your frequent flyer account when you fly with them. It doesn’t matter who paid for the ticket, if your bum is on the seat, you earn the miles. Most airlines allow you to sign up for free through their websites. Start off with the British Airways Executive Club and the Virgin Flying Club. When you credit flights to your account, this will work towards getting STATUS with the airline. Status gets you things like lounge access, and priority EVERYTHING.